Device for removing an installed fastener in an opening

Abstract

The present invention concerns a device for removing a fastener ( 12 ) installed in the hole of a structure, said device comprising: a base ( 20 ) capable of being fastened to the structure, and a guiding device, defining a cylindrical passage ( 78 ) and including: a support ( 48 ) equipped with a first removable assembly means with the base in a first assembled configuration; a blocking element ( 5 0), mobile relative to the support; and a device ( 83, 84 ) for adjusting an axial position of the blocking element relative to the support, to a blocked configuration corresponding to the engagement of said blocking element with the fastener ( 12 ), so as to prevent the rotation of said fastener relative to the structure.

1 . Device for removing a fastener installed in a hole of a structure, said device comprising:
 a base with a removable attachment device to the structure; and   a guiding device, forming a cylindrical passage positioned along a first axis, said cylindrical passage being capable of receiving a drill bit for perforating the fastener, the said guiding device comprising:
 a support equipped with a first means for the removable assembly to the base in a first assembled configuration; 
 a blocking element, movable relative to the support along the first axis; and 
 an adjusting device for adjusting the axial position of the blocking element relative to the support, between a blocked configuration and an unblocked configuration, said blocked configuration corresponding to an engagement of a distal end of said blocking element with the fastener, so as to prevent the rotation of the fastener relative to the structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The removal device according to  claim 1 , in which the distal end of the blocking element includes blocking parts that rotationally fix the fastener relative to the structure, said blocking parts having a sharpened edge, capable of embedding into the fastener through pressure along the first axis. 
     
     
         3 . The removal device according to  claim 2 , in which the blocking parts are substantially positioned along a circle diameter around the cylindrical passage. 
     
     
         4 . Removal device according to  claim 1 , in which the adjusting device comprises: a compression spring, capable of axially moving the blocking element in a direction opposite to the distal end; and a stop capable of preventing said movement, said stop comprising an assembly means for assembly to the support along an adjustable axial position. 
     
     
         5 . The removal device according to  claim 1 , where the removable attachment device includes at least one suction pad. 
     
     
         6 . Removal device according to  claim 1 , comprising further a drill bit capable of axially passing through the cylindrical passage of the guiding device. 
     
     
         7 . Removal device according to  claim 1 , comprising further a positioning device with a viewing opening positioned along a second axis, said positioning device being fitted with a second assembly means of assembly to the base in a second assembled configuration, said second removable assembly means being configured so that, relative to the base, the second axis in the second assembled configuration is substantially identical to the first axis in the first assembled configuration. 
     
     
         8 . Removal device according to  claim 7 , comprising further a lighting fixture capable of sending a light beam into the viewing opening. 
     
     
         9 . Process for removing a fastener installed in the hole of a structure by means of a removal device according to  claim 1 , said hole opening on to an operational face of said structure, said fastener being substantially positioned along a third axis and comprising a substantially cylindrical shank and a head forming a radial projection relative to the shank;
 said process comprising the following steps:
 fastening the base to the operational face of the structure; and assembling said base with the guiding device, so that the first and third axes are substantially identical; 
 adjusting an axial position of the blocking element of the guiding device in the blocked configuration, so as to prevent the rotation of the head of the fastener relative to the operational face; and 
 drilling the fastener head using a drill bit guided by the cylindrical passage of the guiding device 
   
     
     
         10 . Removal process according to  claim 9 , where the fastener comprises:
 a sleeve comprising a substantially cylindrical body and a collar forming a radial projection relative to the body; and   a bolt comprising a substantially cylindrical shank and a head forming a radial projection relative to the shank;   the shank of the bolt being positioned in the body of the sleeve, the collar being engaged with the operational face of the structure;   said process comprising the following steps:
 adjusting an axial position of the blocking element of the guiding device in the blocked configuration, so as to prevent the rotation of the collar of the sleeve relative to the operational face; and 
 drilling the bolt head using a drill bit guided by the cylindrical passage of the guiding device. 
   
     
     
         11 . Removal process for removing a fastener installed in a hole of a structure by means of a removal device, the removal device comprising:
 a base with a removable attachment device to the structure; and   a guiding device, forming a cylindrical passage positioned along a first axis, said cylindrical passage being capable of receiving a drill bit for perforating the fastener, the said guiding device comprising:
 a support equipped with a first means for the removable assembly to the base in a first assembled configuration; 
 a blocking element, movable relative to the support along the first axis; and 
 an adjusting device for adjusting the axial position of the blocking element relative to the support, between a blocked configuration and an unblocked configuration, said blocked configuration corresponding to an engagement of a distal end of said blocking element with the fastener, so as to prevent the rotation of the fastener relative to the structure, 
   
       said hole opening on to an operational face of said structure, said fastener being substantially positioned along a third axis and comprising a substantially cylindrical shank and a head forming a radial projection relative to the shank;
 said process comprising the following steps: 
 fastening the base to the operational face of the structure; and assembling said base with the guiding device, so that the first and third axes are substantially identical; 
 adjusting an axial position of the blocking element of the guiding device in the blocked configuration, so as to prevent the rotation of the head of the fastener relative to the operational face; and 
 drilling the fastener head using a drill bit guided by the cylindrical passage of the guiding device 
 in combination with  claim 7 , where the attachment procedure of the base to the operational face comprises: 
 removably assembling the positioning device with the base in the second assembled configuration, and 
 moving the base relative to the operational face to an operational position, where the bolt head and/or the collar of the sleeve are substantially centered relative to the viewing opening, and 
 activating the removable attachment device, so as to secure the base to the operational face, and 
 disconnecting the base and the positioning device.